What Trump’s New Executive Orders on Drones Mean for Energy

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On June 6, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed two executive orders—Unleashing American Drone Dominance and Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty—that collectively mark a defining moment in U.S. drone policy. Together, these actions set forth sweeping changes intended to unlock the commercial potential of drones, reduce reliance on foreign technologies, and enhance national security through airspace control.

For industrial drone operators—particularly in areas like energy, utilities, and infrastructure—these orders promise both new freedoms and new responsibilities. From enabling beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations to tightening airspace security protocols, the executive orders aim to accelerate the drone industry’s integration into U.S. airspace while safeguarding against rising threats.

Here’s what’s in the executive orders and what they mean for industrial drone operations.

Long-Awaited Finalization for BVLOS Drone Operations

The headline development is the administration’s clear directive for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to finalize rules enabling routine beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations. Historically, operators have needed case-by-case waivers from the FAA to fly drones outside a pilot’s direct visual line of sight—a critical limitation in large-scale energy applications like long-distance pipeline inspection, power line monitoring, and solar/wind farm surveys.

The process is about to change.

According to the executive order, the FAA must issue a proposed rule within 30 days and a final rule within 240 days, paving the way for broader BVLOS access for commercial and public safety operations. The directive also calls for AI-based tools to streamline waiver applications in the interim and clear performance metrics for BVLOS operations.

This is a long-overdue shift. “BVLOS operations don’t just change how drones work; they change what’s possible,” said Michael Healander, CEO of Airspace Link. 

Energy companies stand to benefit significantly. For example, BVLOS flights could reduce the need for manned aircraft in power line inspections, allow for persistent monitoring of remote substations, and open up vast rural regions for drone-assisted maintenance and surveillance—safely, efficiently, and at lower cost.

Enabling Scale: From Pilot Projects to National Integration

While industry players have run successful BVLOS test programs under special waivers, many have expressed frustration at the regulatory delays. “The lack of a clear BVLOS framework has forced operators to rely on individual waivers, creating inefficiencies and barriers to broader adoption,” noted DRONELIFE.

The new directive cuts through that red tape. In addition to BVLOS rulemaking, the FAA is instructed to publish an updated UAS integration roadmap to guide civil drone expansion in the National Airspace System. FAA UAS test ranges will be prioritized to gather safety data and support the scaling of technologies like autonomous navigation and vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

This structured, national-level approach means drone integration will no longer be limited to isolated test sites or pilot programs. Instead, industrial operators can begin planning for permanent, scalable BVLOS deployments.

The Domestic Drone Manufacturing Push

Another major thrust of the orders is the prioritization of U.S.-made drones over foreign-manufactured ones—particularly those from China. While the executive orders do not impose an outright ban on Chinese drones like DJI, they instruct federal agencies to favor American-made platforms for procurement and to promote domestic manufacturing through grants, export financing, and trade initiatives.

The administration will also publish a “Covered Foreign Entity List” to identify companies that pose national security risks to the drone supply chain. Simultaneously, export controls will be reviewed to fast-track the overseas sale of American-manufactured civil UAS.

“This is a smart move by the Trump Administration,” Adam Bercu, CEO of Guardian, told AUVSI (the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International). “Prioritizing American-made drones for regulatory approvals aligns national security with industrial policy”.

For energy companies—especially those receiving federal funding or operating near critical infrastructure—this shift could drive a reevaluation of their fleets. DJI drones, which dominate the U.S. commercial market, may become increasingly restricted in government-involved operations. Companies should begin assessing U.S.-manufactured alternatives now to ensure compliance and resilience.

Tightening Airspace Security and Expanding Detection Capabilities

While the Drone Dominance order focuses on enabling operations, the Airspace Sovereignty order focuses on control and security.

Citing the growing misuse of drones by criminal groups, foreign adversaries, and careless operators, the order calls for:

  • A federal task force to coordinate drone threat responses

  • New FAA rules to restrict drone flights over sensitive sites

  • Enhanced enforcement of airspace violations, including criminal penalties

  • Expansion of grant programs to allow local law enforcement and infrastructure owners to purchase drone detection and identification tools

“Drones are a disruptive technology. They have an amazing potential for both good and ill,” said Sebastian Gorka, senior director for counterterrorism on the National Security Council. “We will increase the enforcement of current laws to deter two types of individuals: evildoers and idiots—the clueless and the careless.”

Energy infrastructure—often remote, critical, and a potential target for surveillance or disruption—is clearly in focus. The Department of Homeland Security and FAA are also expected to release guidance for private infrastructure owners on deploying drone detection systems. This means energy companies should anticipate new compliance requirements and consider proactive investment in situational awareness tools.

Airspace Management at Scale: The Need for Coordination

As BVLOS operations scale up, especially in populated and complex environments, the challenge of managing thousands of low-altitude flights becomes more urgent. Companies like Airspace Link, which manages drone traffic infrastructure, have warned that coordination is essential.

“We need digital and physical infrastructure to give specific government agencies the tools to use drones BVLOS, and to understand what is happening in the airspace,” said Healander. “When you have delivery drones, emergency response flights, infrastructure inspections, and military operations all sharing the same low-altitude airspace, you need a process for deconflicting.”

Industrial operators—particularly those inspecting critical infrastructure—must be prepared to integrate with new UAS traffic management (UTM) systems and share flight data securely.

Industry Response: Applause and Anticipation

The reaction from drone industry leaders has been overwhelmingly positive. Michael Robbins, President & CEO of AUVSI, called it “a historic day for the drone industry in the United States,” adding that the orders “will ensure U.S. leadership in drone innovation, security, operations, and manufacturing.”

Even DJI, frequently targeted by regulatory efforts, praised the move for streamlining BVLOS approvals and expanding Remote ID detection technologies. Many in the industry expect a surge in investment once the final rules are released.

“Many investors have been sitting on the sidelines,” said Lisa Ellman of the Commercial Drone Alliance. “Once the rules are implemented, I think we will see significant investment.”

What Energy Companies Should Do Now

The executive orders are ambitious—but they are also clear. Here are steps industrial drone operators, especially in the energy sector, should consider:

  • Audit Your Drone Fleet: Assess the origin of your drone hardware and prepare to transition toward U.S.-manufactured platforms for federally supported operations.

  • Prepare for BVLOS: If you’re relying on visual line-of-sight operations today, start planning for BVLOS scenarios, including training, software integration, and risk mitigation.

  • Invest in Airspace Awareness: Evaluate drone detection and tracking technologies—particularly if you operate near sensitive sites or large events.

  • Engage in the Rulemaking Process: Public comment periods for the new FAA rules are coming. Participate to ensure industry-specific needs are represented.

A New Era for Industrial Drones

Whether inspecting hundreds of miles of pipeline, responding to grid outages, or securing remote substations, industrial drone deployments are poised to grow rapidly in scope and scale. These executive orders are not just about drones—they are about reshaping the future of American aviation and securing a competitive advantage in a high-stakes technological race.

“Drones are no longer just useful tools—they are becoming essential infrastructure,” said Skydio Co-founder and CEO Adam Bry. “We commend the administration’s actions to strengthen the domestic drone industry and help ensure America leads the next century of aviation.”